Folding stairs, especially light wooden stairs

ABSTRACT

Folding stairs have three segments of ladder stairs connected by hinges. The first segment of stairs is connected by an articulated joint with door frame by means of hinge holders fitted from inside to door frame wall, and during unfolding of these stairs rotation axle of the first segment of stairs does not change its position against door frame. Flap is suspended to the first segment of stairs by means at least two couples of connecting rods, which together with the first segment of stairs and the flap form four-bar linkage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to folding stairs, especially light wooden stairs designed for installation in the ceiling of building, opened downwards and unfolded into the room located under this ceiling. Invention finds applications in building industry, mainly in sporadically used entries to lofts.

BACKGROUND

There are known folding stairs having hinge mechanisms with variable rotation axis, as for example hinge according to Polish patent No. 199927, provided with flap closing from bottom door frame opening, where this flap is simultaneously a supporting structure for stair segments fitted to it. In connection with said function of supporting structure the flap must be properly reinforced, so that it can transmit loads from both weight of said stair segments and weight of users going onto these stairs.

SUMMARY

Folding stairs, especially light wooden stairs, designed for installation in the ceiling of building, opened downwards and unfolded into the room located under this ceiling, have door frame mounted within ceiling, set of ladder stair segments connected with hinged joint and flap closing door frame from bottom. First segment of stairs is connected by articulated joint with door frame by means of hinge holders fitted to internal wall of door frame, and during unfolding of said stairs rotation axis of first stair segment does not change its position relative to the door frame. Flap is suspended on the first segment of stairs by means of at least two couples of connecting rods, which together with first segment of stairs form four-bar linkage. Within the couple of connecting rods located closest to hinge holders at least one of connecting rods is a double-arm lever connected in its central part rotationally with first segment of stairs. Arm of this lever opposite to the flap is connected by means of pull rod to the door frame, advantageously with hinge holder fitted to it.

In folded state of stairs, when all its segments are positioned inside door frame, the flap closes the door frame, whereas during opening of stairs to the room located under the ceiling, flap opens downwards together with stairs and stays opened during unfolding of stairs, during their usage and folding.

Individual segments of ladder stairs are connected by means of hinges located in segment joints, on the top or on the bottom of stringers of those segments. First segment, located in unfolded stairs in the highest position, is connected with the second segment by means of high-axle hinge, possessing rotation axle at upper surface of stringers of this segment of stairs. Next segments of stairs, i.e. second and third segments, are connected by means of low-axle hinge possessing rotation axle at lower surface of stringers of these segments of stairs.

First segment of stairs is suspended in door frame also by means of distance connecting rods located at both sides of this segment, outside of its stringers. Role of those distance connecting rods is limiting of opening angle of first segment of stairs, and each of those two connecting rods advantageously consists of two flat pull rods, connected with joint. Connecting rods with their lower ends are connected to transverse supporting beam, protruding at both sides of first segment of stairs beyond stringer s of this segment. Supporting beam is placed in recesses extracted in lower surfaces of stringers of first segment of stairs and is located in close vicinity of half of length of this segment. Supporting beam is provided with lugs connecting it with stringers of first segment of stairs. When supporting beam is fitted without clearances to width of recesses in stringers of first segment of stairs, single lugs located at outer side of stringers are sufficient. When clearances appear between widths of supporting beam and excavation in stringer, lugs should be fitted at both sides of supporting beam, directed both to hinge holders connecting first segment with door frame and to high-axle hinge connecting first and second segments of stairs. In such case stresses in stringer recess zone are transferred by lugs of supporting beam.

Stairs are also provided with tension springs, supporting rising of stairs during their closing and attenuating dropping of stairs during their opening. In the first example of the invention these springs connect first segment of stairs with door frame, so that low ends of springs are attached to the first segment of stairs by means of holders fitted to external surfaces of stringers of this segment of stairs. In the second example of the invention low ends of springs are fitted to movable components of stirs in the vicinity of supporting beam connections with distance connecting rods. Springs can be attached either to distance connecting rods in the vicinity of their low ends or to supporting beam.

Upper ends of tension springs are advantageously fitted to outriggers sticking out upward from door frame. Thanks to that springs work in direction less deviated from perpendicular, thus enabling to decrease force component in the spring due to weight of stairs. Tension force of springs is chosen advantageously in such way, that they keep the set of ladder stairs in closed position themselves. Therefore flap need not be provided with lock fixing it in closed position, and poses only a towing eye by which it can be pulled down to open stairs and flap. Outriggers are fitted in door frame by screws, so they can be dismounted for storage and transport of the product.

Folding stairs, thanks to using segments of stairs and not a flap as supporting elements connecting moving components with door frame have lighter flap, so they are more convenient in use and more inexpensive than other known solutions. Placing supporting beam in recesses of first segment of stairs and possibility to dismount of spring outriggers for transport decreases overall dimensions of folded stairs facilitating their storage and transport.

Folding stairs, especially light wooden stairs, being the subject matter of presented invention, are shown in examples of realizations of three-segment stairs, where the first example is shown in the drawing, individual figures of which present:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows stairs unfolded for use—in axonometric projection, according to one example.

FIG. 2 shows first and second segments of stairs unfolded for use—in side view with section across door frame, according to one example.

FIG. 3 shows stairs folded, in partially open position—in side view with section across door frame, according to one example.

FIG. 4 shows stairs folded in closed position—in side view with section across door frame, according to one example.

FIG. 5 shows a detail of connection of first segment of stairs with door frame in position unfolded for use—in axonometric projection, according to one example.

FIG. 6 shows a detail of connection from FIG. 5 in stairs closed—in axonometric projection, according to one example.

FIG. 7 shows a detail of fitting distance connecting rod to the door frame—in axonometric projection, according to one example.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of connection of supporting beam with first segment of stairs and distance pull rod—in axonometric projection, with expanded components, according to one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Other examples of the invention are presented in description by pointing out technical features distinguishing them from the first example, shown in the drawing mentioned above.

Example 1

Set of segments of ladder stairs 1 is a main component of folding stairs, including the first segment 12, the second segment 12 and the third segment 13. Each of those segments contains two stringers 14, left one and right one, with steps 15 fitted between them, and individual segments are connected each other with hinges fitted to stringers 14 in their end sections. Segments of stairs: first 11 and second 12 are connected by means of high-axle hinges 16, which have their rotation axle at upper surface of stringers 14 of those segments; whereas segments second 12 and third 13 are connected by means of low axle hinges 17, with their rotation axle at lower surface of stringers 14 of connected segments. Stairs have also door frame 2 in the form of frame with two longitudinal walls 21 and two transverse walls 22. Door frame is seated in the ceiling, over the room, to which stairs can be unfolded for use. First segment 11 of unfolded stairs is situated in the highest position among all three segments, second segment 12 is a middle one and third segment 13 of unfolded stairs is located in the lowest position and rests against the floor of the room under the ceiling. In folded stairs segments: second 12 and third 13 are resting on the first segment 11, and the whole set of segments of ladder stairs 1 is placed within door frame 2.

First segment 11 is connected by its stringers 14 with transverse wall 22 of door frame by means of two hinge holders 3, and each of those holders consists of angle section 31 and stringer strip 32, connected by pin located at bottom end of angle section 31. Both hinge holders 3 are located in such way, that their pins 33 are concentric, forming common rotation axle against door frame 2, for the first segment 11 and for other two segments of stairs, whereas rotation axle of those segments does not change during stairs folding or unfolding. Angle section 31 and stringer strip 32 are fitted with bolts 34, respectively, to transverse wall 22 of door frame and to stringers 14 of the first segment 11 of stairs.

Stairs are also provided with flap 4, closing from the bottom opening in the door frame 2, when set of segments of ladder stairs 1 is folded and placed in door frame. Flap 4 is suspended on the first segment 11 of stairs by means of two couples of connecting rods, whereas connecting rods of each couple are at both sides of the first segment 11 of stairs, outwards of stringers 14 of this segment. Two-arm connectors 41 are located at hinge holders 3, and near opposite end of the first segment 11 of stairs there are straight connectors 42. Low ends of connectors 41, 42 are fitted with holders 43 to the flap 4, and upper end of straight connector is fitted by an articulated joint with screw 44, to the first segment 11 of stairs. Two-arm connector 41 is in its central zone, connected with stringer strip 32 by means of central pin 45, and upper end of two-arm connector 41, by means of pull rod 46, is connected with angle section 31 in its upper par. On its both ends pull rod 46 is connected by articulated joints with parts it works with. Flap 4 has on its lower surface, at the side opposite to hinge holders 3, an ear 48 for catching a hook to open stairs.

The first segment 11 of stairs, two-arm connector 41 on its part between central pin 45 and holder 46 and also straight connector 42 and flap 4, create four-bar linkage mechanism, motion of which is caused by interaction of pull bar 46 and upper part of two-arm connector 41, which create, together with angle section 31 and stringer strip 32, also a four-bar linkage mechanism. During placing the set of ladder stairs 1 inside door frame 2, in the last phase of closing of this set of stairs in its rest point, mechanisms of both four-bar linkages place flap 4 in position adjacent to door frame 2 (drawing—FIGS. 4 and 6). Distance between flap 4 and first segment 11, and also between the whole set of ladder stairs 1 in closed position of stairs, is minimal, therefore the whole structure is compact, facilitating transport and storage of the product. With stairs in open position, including open for use, both four-bar linkages switch flap 4 into position distant from the first segment 11 (drawing—FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) thus providing proper clearance for feet of person going along steps 15 of this segment, thus facilitating use of stairs.

The first segment 11 of stairs, apart connection with door frame 2 by means of two hinge holders 3, is also suspended in door frame by means of a couple of distance connecting rods 5, located at both sides of this segment, outwards of its stringers 14. Distance connecting rod consists of two flat pull rods: upper pull rod 51 and lower pull rod 52 connected with joint 53. Ends of both lower pull rods 52 are connected to supporting beam 6, which stands out at both sides of the first segment 11 of stairs beyond stringers 14 of this segment. Supporting beam is ended with bends forming lugs 61, which are connected by pins 62 with lower pull rods 52 of both distance connecting rods. Upper end of distance connecting rod 6 is fitted in door frame by means of side holder 54, which is connected with end of upper pull rod 51 by means of pin 55. Side holder 54 is fitted by bolts 56 to longitudinal wall 21 of door frame 2, moreover in this holder an adjusting screw 57 is mounted, limiting range of movement of upper pull rod 51 and thus also of the whole distance connecting rod 5.

Supporting beam 6, located in vicinity of half of length of the first segment 11 of stairs, is placed in recesses 18 extracted in lower surfaces of stringers 14 of the segment. Placing the beam in recess allow to minimize distance between flap 4 and the first segment 11 of stairs in their closed position. Supporting beam has lugs 63, by means of which and also with bolts 64 it is fitted to stringers 14 of the first segment 11 of stairs, at its right and left side. Both supporting beam 6 and recess 18 in stringer of 14 of the first segment 11 of stairs have rectangular section and are match one to another without any clearance, which enables to fit the beam to the stringer with only one lug at each side of the segment of stairs.

Folding stairs are also provided with two tension springs 7, which support rising of stairs during their closing and attenuate dropping of stairs during their opening. Lower ends of these springs are fitted to lower pull rods 52 of distance connecting rod 5 in vicinity of joint of this pull rod with supporting beam 6. Upper ends of tension springs 7 are fitted by means of coil chain section 71 to outriggers 72, mounted in corners of door frame 2, whereas outriggers protrude upwards from the door frame and are fitted to it with bolts.

Example 2

Folding stairs consist the set of segments of ladder stairs the same as in the first example, they have also the same flap closing door frame from the bottom, the same set of four-bar linkages connecting the flap with the first segment of stairs and the same suspending of this segment in door frame using supporting beam. However springs are mounted in different way than in first example, because their lower ends are connected with catches fitted directly to stringers of the first segment of stairs.

Example 3

Folding stairs consist the set of segments of ladder stairs the same as in the first example, they have also the same flap closing door frame from the bottom and the same set of four-bar linkages connecting the flap with the first segment of stairs. Springs are fitted in the same way to lower pull rods of distance connecting rods in vicinity of lower ends of those pull rods. Different solution is however applied for connection of supporting beam with stringers of the first segment of stairs, because the beam is placed with some clearance in recesses of lower surface of those stringers and provided with lugs directed both in direction of high-axle hinges (in the same way, as in first example—lugs 63, FIG. 8), and in opposite direction, towards hinge holders connecting the first segment of stairs with transverse beam of door frame.

Example 4

Folding stairs include set of segments of ladder stairs, hinge holders and distance connecting rods, supporting beam and flap with set of four-bar linkages—the same as in first example. Springs supporting rising of stairs are fitted also in the same way as in first example. Tension force of springs is, however, chosen in different way, being somewhat less than in first example, so that balance point of stairs is in partially open position. Flap has lock with rotational bolt located at its side opposite to hinge holders. Bolt works with seat located in transverse wall of door frame. 

1. Folding stairs, especially light wooden stairs, designed for installation in the ceiling of a building, opening downwards and unfolding into the room located under this ceiling, in combination with a flap for closing an opening in a door frame mounted in the ceiling, the flap connected with the door frame by hinge mechanism, the folding stairs comprising: ladder stairs segments comprising stringers and connected to each other by means of hinges located in individual joints of said ladder stairs segments at upper or lower end of said stringers; where a first segment, which, in unfolded stairs, is located in the highest position among all segments, is connected with a second segment by means of high-axle hinges, having its axis of rotation at a front surface of the stringers of both segments of stairs, wherein the first segment of stairs is connected with door frame by means of hinge holders comprising an articulated joint and fitted from an inner side to a door frame wall wherein the hinge holders are configured so that, during unfolding of said stairs, the axis of rotation of the first segment of stairs does not change its position relative to the door frame, whereas the flap is suspended at the first segment of stairs by means of at least two pairs of connecting rods, which together with the first segment of stairs and the flap form a four-bar linkage.
 2. Stairs according to claim 1, further comprising two pairs of connection bars located at a position close to the hinge holders, wherein at least one of said pairs of connection bars forms said two-arm lever, which, at its middle section, is connected rotationally to the first segment of stairs and, at its arm opposite to the flap, is connected to the door frame by means of a pull rod.
 3. Stairs according to claim 2 wherein the hinge holder is fitted on said door frame.
 4. Stairs according to claim 1, wherein the first segment of said stairs is suspended within the door frame by means of a pair of connecting rods.
 5. Stairs according to claim 4 wherein each of said connecting rods comprises two flat pull rods, connected by a joint.
 6. Stairs according to claim 4, wherein said connecting rods are fitted to a transverse supporting beam, protruding at both sides of the first segment of stairs beyond said stringers of this segment,
 7. Stairs according to claim 6 wherein said connecting rods are located in the vicinity of half of the length of said segment.
 8. Stairs according to claim 6, wherein said supporting beam is placed in a recess formed in lower surfaces of stringers of the first segment of stairs and is provided with lugs, connecting said beam with stringers of the first segment of stairs.
 9. Stairs according to claim 8 wherein two lugs are provided on said supporting beam.
 10. Stairs according to claim 1, characterized in that they are provided with tension springs connecting the first segment of stairs with the door frame, supporting raising of stairs during their closing and attenuating dropping of stairs during their opening.
 11. Stairs according to claim 6, characterized in that they have tension springs, supporting raising of stairs during their closing and attenuating dropping of stairs during their opening, and lower end of those springs is fitted to moving components of stairs in vicinity of connections of supporting beam with distance connecting rods.
 12. Stairs according to claim 11, characterized in that an upper end of the tension spring is fitted to an outrigger protruding upwards from the door frame. 